distance ahead of her second astern, the Vittoria; and, when within hail, all further disguise being unnecessary, the British frigate shifted her colours, and commenced a cannonade. This was at 5 h. 30 m.; and the fire was returned with a smartness and spirit, which evinced that the Dutch were fully prepared for the contest. The Harrier, who had kept close astern of the Greyhound, seeing the latter engaged, bore round up ; and, passing between the Pallas and Vittoria, opened a fire of musketry at the latter, and discharged her larboard guns into the starboard quarter of the former. The Vittoria and her second astern, the Batavia, then bore up in succession, to return the Harrier's fire.

In the mean time the Greyhound, resolving to lose no time in taking advantage of the confusion thus caused by the Harrier's promptitude, wore close round her opponent's bows, raking her severely in passing. On reaching the starboard bow of the Pallas, the Greyhound, then on the starboard tack, threw her sails aback, and maintained a position which, while it comparatively secured herself, was of destructive effect to her antagonist. The cannonade of the latter, with an equal opponent upon her bow and one by no means to be despised upon her quarter, gradually slackened, and at the end of 40 minutes ceased. On being hailed by the Greyhound, the Pallas replied that she had struck, and was soon in possession of the former.

The Harrier now hauled towards the Vittoria, and, after firing several broadsides at her, compelled this formidable looking ship, at 6 h. 30 m. A.M., to haul down her colours. Sending an officer to take possession, Captain Troubridge hauled towards the Batavia. The Greyhound had by this time made sail for the latter. Being wholly unable to cope with the new antagonist that was now advancing to the assistance of the Harrier, the Batavia, at 6 h. 40 m., followed the example of the Vittoria. Meanwhile the William, who, from her position in the rear, had taken no part in the action, was making off towards the shore. The Harrier immediately proceeded in chase ; but, the state of her sails and rigging leaving her little chance of overtaking the fugitive, Captain Elphinstone threw out the signal to join. The Harrier did so, and the William effected her escape.

Out of her complement of 212 men and boys, the Greyhound had one seaman killed and eight wounded ; and the Harrier, out of her 110 men and boys on board, had only three wounded. The Pallas mounted 40 guns, 12 and 6 pounders, with 24-pounder brass carronades, and had a complement of 250 men, including about 50 Malays. Of these the Dutch frigate lost eight killed, her captain (mortally), second and fifth lieutenants, three pilots, one midshipman, and 25 seamen wounded, four of them and one of the pilots mortally. The Vittoria and Batavia, represented in Captain Elphinstone's letter merely as " armed for the purpose of war, " had, the one two men killed, the other

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